Apparatus for joint control of a clutch and electrical switches

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for operating a clutch mechanism and automatically and mechanically therewith a plurality of switches for control of additional motors. Two mechanical tie rods, one linked with its outer end to the clutch, the other operated by external power application upon its opposite outer end, engage electrical switches, which are mechanically connected with them for automatic selectively preset time-spaced motive operations of the clutch and the switches with a precalculated lost motion of the switch operations.

United States Patent Becker et al.

[54] APPARATUS FOR JOINT CONTROL OF A CLUTCH AND ELECTRICAL SWITCHES[72] Inventors: Ernst Becker; Karl Notz, both of Darmstadt, Germany [73]Assignee:

[ 1 June 27, 1972 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,942,5646/1960 Larys et a1. ..1 12/219 A 3,174,450 3/1965 Becker et al ....112/219 A 1/1966 Medynski et al.. 8/ 1966 ..112/219 A Akerley et a1. ..l12/219 Primary E.taminer-H. Hampton Hunter Attorney-Otto .lohn Munz [57]ABSTRACT An apparatus for operating a clutch mechanism and automaticallyand mechanically therewith a plurality of switches for control ofadditional motors.

Two mechanical tie rods, one linked with its outer end to the clutch,the other operated by external power application upon its opposite outerend, engage electrical switches, which are mechanically connected withthem for automatic selectively preset time-spaced motive operations ofthe clutch and the switches with a precalculated lost motion of theswitch operations.

1 1 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures EXTERNAL MOVING FORCE PATENTEDJUHZY 1972CLUTCH FBG.B

SHEET 10F 4 EXTERNAL MOVING FOR C E INVENTORS Ernst Beckera Kori NotzORNEY PATENTEDJUH 21 I972 CLUTC H SHEET 2 OF 4 EXTERNAL MoviNe FORC EINVENTORS Ernst Becker 8.

rl vNoi'z ATTORNEY PA TENTEnJuxzv m2 3 672 316 sum 30F 4 CLUTC HEXTERNAL MOVING FORCE INVENTORS Ernst Becker a Karl Noi'z BY fi W4 240%?PATENTEDJUHZ'I 1972 SHEET a 0F &

CLUTCH INVENTORS Ernst @egizpr 8 Ken 2x022 aa l AT'TO R 1 EXTERNALMOVING FORCE APPARATUS FOR JOINT CONTROL OF A CLUTCH AND ELECTRICALSWITCHES CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION The present inventionis an improvement over US. Pat. No. 3,174,450, for Sewing Machines ofMar. 23, 1965, having a common assignee and a common co-inventor, but isnot limited thereto;

1. Field of The Invention The present invention includes clutches andsimilar mechanisms involving the joint control of the application andtransmission of power to a plurality of devices, wherein a clutch isactuated mechanically and other devices are actuated electrically. Tierods, operating the cluteh,actuate interrelated power-delivery controlsto electrical switches in preselected time intervals.

2. Description of the Prior Art 7 Clutch motors are employed for drivingmachine tools and textile machines. They comprise a main clutch by meansof which the driven component can be coupled either with the flywheel ofthe motor, which flywheel rotates constantly at a high speed ofrotation, or with a braking block. In conventional motors, the mainclutch can be operated by way ofa tie rod system engaging a draw lever,this tie rod system being connected with an actuating element, generallya foot pedal. Auxiliary devices are often connected to such couplingmotors, for example, one or several electrically operated auxiliaryclutches; these auxiliary clutches make it possible to drive theapparatus connected with the coupling motor at one or several lowerspeeds. Further examples of such auxiliary devices are setting switcheswhich make it possible to arrest the drive in preselectable angularpositions of the operating shaft of the machine. The auxiliary devicescan also be attachments to the machine, fulfilling auxiliary functions,such as adjustment of the sewing foot and cutting of the thread'in caseof industrial sewing machines.

It is known to operate these auxiliary devices by means of electricalswitches attached to the foot pedal and which can be switchedindividually, for example, by separately depressible portions of thepedal. However, the operation of the individual switches via footcontacts at the pedal represents a great bur den for the personoperating the machine. The operator tends to tire prematurely, and it isalso possible that the wrong switches are erroneously actuated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is based particularly on theobjective to simplify the operation of the additional switches, inconjunction with the actuation of the mechanically operable main clutchof the coupling motor.

This objective is attained, in accordance with the invention, in anapparatus for controlling a coupling motor with a main clutchmechanically operable via a tie rod system, and with one or severalelectrically operable auxiliary devices, by incorporating the electricalswitching device serving for operating the auxiliary devices into thetie rod system of the main clutch and making this switching deviceactuatable by means of this tie rod system. Thereby, it becomes possibleto effect the mechanical shifting of the main clutch and the operationof the auxiliary devices by way of a single, common control mechanism,generally a conventional foot pedal. In this way, the operator need notlift his foot off the pedal, which means a substantial facilitation andsimplification of the operating of the machine.

Preferably, the tie rod system is provided with two tie rods coupledwith each other by means of followers; one of these tie rods isconnected with the draw lever of the mechanically operable main clutch,and the other tie rod is connected with an actuating element, preferablya foot pedal. This electrical switching device is mounted to one of thetwo tie rods and is actuatable on the basis of a relative motion of thetwo tie rods. The arrangement can be such, in this connection, that,upon a relative motion of the two tie rods in one direction, the drawlever of the main clutch is operable, and upon a relative motion of thetwo tie rods in the other direction, the electrical switching device isactuatable. This embodiment is suitable for cases wherein the mainclutch and the auxiliary devices are to be operable completelyindependently of one another. According to a modified embodiment, it isalso possible to make the electrical switching device and the draw leverof the main clutch operable successively upon one relative movement ofthe two tie rods. Such an arrangement is preferable when the switchingof the main clutch is to be preceded, or followed, in each case, by anactuation of the auxiliary devices.

If it is important that certain non-operative periods are providedbefore the operation of the main clutch and/or of the auxiliary devices,particularly in order to ensure a certain period between the actuationof the main clutch and the operation of the auxiliary devices, or viceversa, the tie rods are suitably displaceable between the predeterminedrest position and the operating position of the draw lever or theelectrical switching device and/or between the operating positions ofthe draw lever and the electrical switching device without effect uponthe draw lever or upon the electrical switching device; thisdisplacement of the tie rods is predetermined as to its extent.

Advantageously, the followers are stops which are connected withrespectively one of the two tie rods and are provided with a borethrough which the other tie rod is extended in a freely movable manner.Thus, the two tie rods can be guided by means of the engaging piecessimply and in a planeparallel way.

Preferably, the stops are adjustably mounted on the respective tie rod.Thereby, the movement of the 'tie rods can be limited in the desiredmanner and/or the non-operative period before, or between the operationof the main clutch and/or the auxiliary devices can be controlled.

The switching device suitably comprises several microswitches which areall connected to one of the tie rods; these microswitches are operableby means of a connecting switch bridge coupled with the other tie rod,so that they are actuated successively. In this manner, severalauxiliary devices can be made effective in the desired succession.

The connecting switch bridge can be maintained at a spacing from themicroswitches in the rest position, by means of a pretensioned spring,so that the switching device has the effect of a pressure switch. Theconnecting switch bridge can, however, also be resiliently pressedagainst the microswitches in the rest position, so that the switchingdevice operates as a pull switch.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this inventionwill be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood byreference to the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which like numeralsdesignate like or equivalent parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows in cross-section acontrol device according to the present invention with an electricalpull switch,

FIG. 2 shows a modified embodiment of the invention with an electricalpressure switch.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing additional springbias means 42, 43 and an integral connection between the clutch tie-rodl and the control switch bridge means 17 FIG. 4 shows additionalimprovements illustrating the tandem arrangement of the device.

FIG. 5 illustrates the integration of the apparatus with a sewingmachine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As illustrated in FIG. I, thetie rod system connecting the draw lever of the coupling motor with theoperating element, preferably a foot pedal, comprises two tie rods 1, 2.The upper end of the tie rod 1 is connectable to the clutch lever of thecoupling motor; the lower end of the tie rod 2 can be connected to thefoot pedal.

The electrical switching device serving for actuating the auxiliarydevices, the latter being illustrated in FIG. 5, is provided with ahousing 4 having an axial bore 5 extending all the way therethrough, thetie rod 1 being guide in this bore. Screws, 6, 7 fixedly mount thehousing 4 with respect to the tie rod 1. Three microswitches 11, 12, 13are provided side-byside in the housing 4 by means of screws 9, 10. Thebottom wall 14 of the housing 4 is provided with bore 15 in parallelwith bore 5; the stub 16 of connecting switch 17 is guided in the bore15 in parallel with the tie rod 1, in a displaceable manner.

The connecting switch bridge 17 carries three trip cams 19, 20, 21 whichare displaceable in corresponding axial bores of the connecting switchbridge 17 and are mounted flush with the actuating pins (terminals) 22of the microswitches ll, 12, I3. Helical springs 24, resting against theupper face of the bottom wall 14, press the trip earns 19, 20, 21 in thedirection toward the actuating pins 22 of the microswitches. The tripcams have differing axial lengths and are provided, at their lower ends,with a laterally projecting flange 25.

The tie rod 2 is movably inserted, with its upper end, in a central boreof the stub 16 of the connecting switch bridge 17. This tie rod carriesa stop 27 axially displaceable between stops 28, 29 of the tie rod 1. Ina bore 31 of the stop 27, the tie rod 1 is guided in an axially movablemanner. The tie rod 2 extends, with a play, through axial bores 32, 33of the stops 28, 29. After loosening the screws 34, 35, the stops 28 29on the tie rod 1 can be adjusted in the axial direction, and the samecan be done with stop 27 on the tie rod 2 after loosening the screw 36.A helical spring 38 pushed over the tie rod 2 rests, with its lower end,on the upper face of the stop 28 and abuts,with its upper end, againstspring ring 39 fixedly mounted on the tie rod 2. In the rest position,this helical spring 38 maintains the trip cams 19, 20, 21 in engagementwith the actuating pins 22 of the microswitches l1, l2, 13.

The above-described device operates as follows: In the rest position,the structural components assume the position shown in FIG. 1. If, now,by actuation of the foot pedal, the tie rod 2 is moved downwardly, theconnecting switch bridge 17 is moved, against the force of spring 38,downwardly with respect to the tie rod 1 and the housing 4 connectedwith the latter. During this process, the flanges 25 of the trip earns19, 20, 21 successively engage the underside of the connecting switchbridge 17, so that the trip cams are likewise pulled downwardly againstthe force of the spring 24 and vacate, in succession resulting fromtheir differing axial lengths the actuating pins of the microswitchesl1, l2, 13. After traveling the distance a, the underside of the stop 27meets the upper face of the stop 29; via these two stops, the tie rod 1is entrained in order to actuate the clutch lever of the coupling motor.

The microswitches l1, l2, 13 can be inserted, for example, in thecircuit of electrically operable auxiliary clutches by means of which amachine connected with the coupling motor, for example, a sewingmachine, can be driven at a varying number of revolutions. In such acase, it is then possible, in the above-described manner, to makeauxiliary clutches effective for a stepwise increasing speed ofrotation, before actuating the main clutch by pulling the draw lever ofthe coupling motor.

The motions of the control device take place in the reverse successionupon expansion of spring 38 when the foot pedal is released. The stop 28limits the upward movement of the tie rod 2 with respect to the tierod 1. By means of the bores 31, 32, 33 of the stops 27, 28, 29, the tierods are constantly guided in a plane-parallel manner with respect toeach other.

Freedom in the choice of the distance a, i.e., the spacing between stops27 and 29 as shown in FIG. 2 in the rest position of the device of FIG.1, is attained, according to the preferred embodiment of this inventionin FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 by guiding the upper end of the tie rod 2displaceably in the central bore of the stub 16 of the connecting switchbridge 17, and by attaching, onto the end of the stub 16 projectingunderneath the bottom wall 14 a helical spring 42, one end of thisspring engaging the underside of the bottom wall 14, and the other endabutting a spring ring 43, at the lower end of the stub 16. The spring42 is stronger than the three springs 24 of the trip earns 19, 21, butweaker than the spring 38. Therefore, in the rest position, the spring38 presses the tie rod 2 upwardly to such an extent that the upper frontface of the tie rod 2 abuts the bottom of the central bore of the stub16 of the connecting switch bridge 17, the connecting switch bridge 17is entrained upwardly against the force of the spring 42, and the tripearns 19, 20, 21 are effective upon the actuating pins 22 of themicroswitches 11, 12, 13. If, now, by the means of the foot pedal, thetie rod 2 is pulled downwardly against the force of the spring 38, thespring 42 carries the connecting switch bridge 17 along until theunderside of the connecting switch engages the upper face of the bottomwall 14. During this procedure, the microswitches ll, 12, 13 aresuccessively actuated in the above described manner. On account of therelative movability of the tie rod 2 and the connecting switch 17, thedistance a, if desired, can be selected to be larger than the maximumswitching path of the connecting switch 17.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 corresponds substantially to that of FIG. 1with respect to construction and function. It differs from theembodiment of FIG. 1 essentially only in that the electrical switchingdevice, instead of being a pull switch, is a pressure switch. For thispurpose, the spring 38 is omitted, and in each case the helical spring42 with the spring ring 43 pertaining thereto is provided The spring 42retains, in the rest position illustrated in FIG. 2, the connectingswitch 17 against the force of the springs 24, in engagement with theupper face of the bottom wall 14. In this position, the stop 27 of thetie rod 2 rests at the stop 29 of the tie rod 1.

When the tie rod 2 is pulled downwardly by actuating the foot pedal, thetie rod 1 is entrained via the stops 27, 29, and the main clutch of thecoupling motor is engaged. After releasing the foot pedal, the mainclutch is again disengaged, and the machine is stopped, for example, ina predetermined angular position, in a conventional manner. If auxiliarydevices, in a sewing machine for example a pressure foot adjusting andthread cutting device, are to be actuated, it is only necessary tooperate the foot pedal in a different direction so that the tie rod 2slides upwardly against the force of the spring 42. In this process, thetrip cams 19, 20, 21 of the connecting switch bridge 17 successivelyengage the actuating pins 22 of the microswitches 11, 12, 13.

If, in this case, a certain time delay is to be ensured between theactuation of the foot pedal and the upward motion of the connectingswitch bridge 17, the connecting switch bridge is suitably attached tothe upper end of the tie rod 2 in a displaceable manner, and a certaindistance b (see FIG. 2) is maintained in the rest position between theupper front face of the tie rod 2 and the bottom of the bore 15 of thestub 16. Consequently, the tie rod 1 passes through a free spacecorresponding to the spacing b before the connecting switch bridge 17 isentrained.

For reasons stemming from the manner in which the device ismanufactured, it can be advantageous to provide, in place of the tripcarns 19, 20, 2| of different axial lengths, corresponding trip camshaving identical axial lengths and to have these trip cams cooperatewith actuating pins or levers which are analogous to the actuating pins22, but project downwardly for difi'ering distances within the housing4. Elements 44 are adjustment means permitting length adjustment of theapparatus, to accommodate manufacturing and assembly variations of themachines in which the invention is used.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the use ofthree microswitches; rather, depending upon the particular requirements,more or less microswitches can be provided. Furthermore, it is possible,for example, depending upon the particular application of the device, toprovide simple contacts in place of the microswitches ll, 12, 13, whichcooperate with the trip cams of the connecting switch bridge 17. In thisconnection, the trip cams can, if desired, be themselves inserted in theswitching circuit of the auxiliary devices and can be connected toground, for example.

The application, transmission and control of the external moving forcesmay be multiplied by additional means, identical with or similar tothose explained above in detail.

The electrical switch means A (see FIG. 1) for instance may be coupledto the second tie rod 2 and accompanied by or substituted by identicalor similar electrical switch means B (see FIG. 4), coupled to the firsttie rod 1, whereby additional interrelated power delivery controls areobtained which may be preset for functions correlated with, synchronous,in reverse or independently of the switch means A. This is shown in FIG.4.

Additional simultaneous automatic controls may be provided by adding tothe tie rods parallel extensions, integrally connected thereto, 1,, 1 22 each of which having a switch means A, A and/or 8,, B

While various objectives may be served by the present invention, it isexpressly within the scope of the present application and withoutlimitations thereto to combine it and claim it with the apparatus,described in applicants U.S. Pat. No. 3,l 74,450 by substituting thereinfor the controls 23 and means operated therewith in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4the features of the present invention, and the respective portions ofthat disclosure are to be incorporated herein by reference.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosurerelates only to preferred embodiments of the invention and that it isintended to cover all changes and modifications of the examples of theinvention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure, as well asall combinations of the disclosure with that of US. Pat. No. 3,174,450,which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of theinvention set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A device for operating a clutch mechanism and automatically therewitha plurality of electrically operated additional mechanisms, comprisingstraight-parallel adjustable mechanical linkage means having twoparallel tie-rods with one end connected to said clutch mechanism andwith its other end operated by external moving forces;

a electrical of switch actuating means;

an electrcal switch means for each of said additional mechanisms;

said switch actuating means and said linkage means being mechanicallyadjustably connected with said switch means, said mechanical linkagemeans comprising a clutch tie rod means operably connected to saidclutch mechanism and an external force tie rod means operated by saidexternal forces, and a lost-motion means linking the two tie rod meansfor relative parallel and combined movement therebetween; said switchmeans being fixedly mounted to one of said tie rod means and said switchactuating means being connected to the other of said tie rods, saidswitch means and said actuating means being successively actuated.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, having a compression mode and atension mode, when in the compression mode is functional in relation tothe said clutch mechanism and is functional relative to the electricalswitch means when in the compression mode.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, with relative movement of said twotie rods being alternately in a compression mode and tension mode, beingalternately and successively functional in relation to said clutchmechanism and said electrical switch means.

4. A device as claimed in claim 2, actuation of said clutch mechanismbeing spaced in time from the actuation of said switch means.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, said lost motion means being threestops connected successively to one of the two tie rod means, each stopprovided with a bore through which the other tie rod passes, freelymovably therein.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, said stops being adjustably mountedalong the tie rods.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, said switch means including aplurality of microswitches all connected with one of said tie rods.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a connectingswitch bridge coupled to the other tie rod and means to operate saidmicroswitches successively by movement of said connecting switch bridge.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a spring means tobias said connecting switch bridge away from said microswitches.

10. A device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising resilient meansto bias said connecting switch bridge toward said microswitches.

11. A mechanism including a device for operating a clutch mechanism andautomatically therewith a plurality of electrically operated additionalmechanisms, comprising straight-parallel adjustable mechanical linkagemeans having two parallel tie rods with one end connected to said clutchmechanism and with its other end operated by ex ternal moving forces;

a plurality of switch actuating means;

an electrical switch means for each of said additional mechanisms;

said switch actuating means and said linkage means being mechanicallyadjustably connected with said switch means, further comprising atextile machine such as a sewing machine provided with a shaft andincluding principal drive means, said clutch mechanism mounted therein;auxiliary drive means containing said clutch mechanism, said linkagemeans selectively and operatively connecting said shaft with saidprincipal drive means or said auxiliary drive means; a control system tostop said machine in a predeten'nined angular position of said shaft,said control system comprising synchronizing means, said switch meansoperative to close upon actuation of said linkage means establishing anoperative connection of said shaft with said principal drive means andoperative to open upon disengagement of said shaft from said principaldrive means, means to start said auxiliary drive means upon establishingthe operative connection by said linkage means of said shaft with saidprincipal drive means, including circuit means containing said switchmeans, said synchronizing means connected in parallel with said switchmeans, said switch means energizing said circuit means for starting saidauxiliary drive means, and disconnect means in said circuit means toswitch off and said machine in dependence on the rotary speed of saidshaft.

1. A device for operating a clutch mechanism and automatically therewitha plurality of electrically operated additional mechanisms, comprisingstraight-parallel adjustable mechanical linkage means having twoparallel tie-rods with one end connected to said clutch mechanism andwith its other end operated by external moving forces; a electrical ofswitch actuating means; an electrcal switch means for each of saidadditional mechanisms; said switch actuating means and said linkagemeans being mechanically adjustably connected with said switch means,said mechanical linkage means comprising a clutch tie rod means operablyconnected to said clutch mechanism and an external force tie rod meansoperated by said external forces, and a lost motion means linking thetwo tie rod means for relative parallel and combined movementtherebetween; said switch means being fixedly mounted to one of said tierod means and said switch actuating means being connected to the otherof said tie rods, said switch means and said actuating means beingsuccessively actuated.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, having acompression mode and a tension mode, when in the compression mode isfunctional in relation to the said clutch mechanism and is functionalrelative to the electrical switch means when in the compression mode. 3.A device as claimed in claim 1, with relative movement of said two tierods being alternately in a compression mode and tension mode, beingalternately and successively functional in relation to said clutchmechanism and said electrical switch means.
 4. A device as claimed inclaim 2, actuation of said clutch mechanism being spaced in time fromthe actuation of said switch means.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 1,said lost motion means being three stops connected successively to oneof the two tie rod means, each stop provided with a bore through whichthe other tie rod passes, freely movably therein.
 6. A device as claimedin claim 5, said stops being adjustably mounted along the tie rods.
 7. Adevice as claimed in claim 1, said switch means including a plurality ofmicroswitches all connected with one of said tie rods.
 8. A device asclaimed in claim 7, further comprising a connecting switch bridgecoupled to the other tie rod and means to operate said microswitchessuccessively by movement of said connecting switch bridge.
 9. A deviceas claimed in claim 8, further comprising a spring means to bias saidconnecting switch bridge away from said microswitches.
 10. A device asclaimed in claim 8, further comprising resilient means to bias saidconnecting switch bridge toward said microswitches.
 11. A mechanismincluding a device for operating a clutch mechanism and automaticallytherewith a plurality of electrically operated additional mechanisms,comprising straight-parallel adjustable mechanical linkage means havingtwo parallel tie rods with one end connected to said clutch mechanismand with its other end operated by external moving forces; a pluralityof switch actuating means; an electrical switch means for each of saidadditional mechanisms; said switch actuating means and said linkagemeans being mechanically adjustably connected with said switch means,further comprising a textile machine such as a sewing machine providedwith a shaft and including principal drive means, said clutch mechanismmounted therein; auxiliary drive means containing said clutch mechanism,said linkage means selectively and operatively connecting said shaftwith said principal drive means or said auxiliary drive means; a controlsystem to stop said machine in a predetermined angular position of saidshaft, said control system comprising synchronizing means, said switchmeans operative to close upon actuation of said linkage meansestablishing an operative connection of said shaft with said principaldrive means and operative to open upon disengagement of said shaft fromsaid principal drive means, means to start said auxiliary drive meansupon establishing the operative connection by said linkage means of saidshaft with said principal drive means, Including circuit meanscontaining said switch means, said synchronizing means connected inparallel with said switch means, said switch means energizing saidcircuit means for starting said auxiliary drive means, and disconnectmeans in said circuit means to switch off and said machine in dependenceon the rotary speed of said shaft.